New Milan signing Noah Okafor opened up about his ambitions with the club, the backstory to his move and his best role on the pitch.
The 23-year-old Swiss forward is one of seven players signed by the Rossoneri so far this summer, alongside Luka Romero, Marco Sportiello, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders and Samuel Chukwueze. Yunus Musah is expected to become the eighth arrival of the window.
The arrival of Okafor adds more depth to the Milan attack following the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and imminent sale of Ante Rebic to Besiktas.
Speaking on page eight of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Okafor first spoke about his early thoughts on life at Milan.
“There is a great atmosphere here, the team is fantastic, and the coach is doing very well. I recently signed for Milan but I’m very happy, I’m really confident for the future.”
He was asked if he was ready to try and win the Scudetto.
“Yes, also because a footballer who doesn’t want to win… is not a footballer. We have a strong team and I hope to win Serie A right away. To do this you always need energy, sometimes you lose games, but you learn from defeats. Besides, I hate losing.”
The 23-year-old explained why he decided to join the Rossoneri, despite interest from across Europe.
“Because they wanted me a lot. In the autumn I played against Milan in the Champions League, and we have been in contact ever since. It’s clear that I had other offers but for me everything was always clear. The fans, the San Siro stadium, everything, it’s a new step for my growth.”
Okafor reflected on his childhood and family life.
“Yes, I’ve only been to Nigeria twice, but I was younger, it’s been a long time. My dad arrived in Germany when he was 17, then he went to Switzerland. I learned from him, he always told me to be happy, to smile, to transmit positive energy and to fight hard for my goals.”
The 23-year-old was asked about his ‘be your own hero’ tattoo.
“Because I think I can decide every day what I want to do. It just depends on me, I’m my own boss and I know what I want.
“The tattoo was born from this thought. I want to do my best both in training and in matches. Always train hard to take the next step and improve.”
He confirmed that he’s had a mental coach since he was a teenager.
“Yes, I think it’s important for a young player. With this life we always have pressure on and off the pitch, talking to someone is really important to me.”
The Swiss striker spoke about some of his other tattoos.
“The faces belong to my brothers. Two boys, younger than me, playing football, one in Germany, one in Switzerland. And an older sister.
“For my brothers I am an idol, they want to be like me, and I took care of them as a child, we have a great relationship.”
Okafor discussed his relationship with Milan star Rafael Leao.
“Yes, Rafa and I are like twins, we both dribble very well, we are young, we have the same humour.
“We spoke for the first time after a match between Switzerland and Portugal, then we exchanged messages after the double challenge in the Champions League and we were also opponents in the World Cup. We have a good relationship, I can’t wait to play with him.”
He provided an update on his fitness.
“I’m fine, I’ve been out in the last few weeks but from next week I’ll be in the squad.”
The 23-year-old was brief when asked of the issue of racism in Italian football came into his thinking ahead of the move.
“No.”
The striker revealed the backstory behind his move to the Rossoneri.
“Milan remained in contact with me for six to nine months, contacts that became more intense in the last two weeks.
“They saw that I was fine, then everything was done in three-four days and… here I am.”
He explained why he chose the number 17.
“7 is my favourite number, in fact in Salzburg I had 77. Here the 7 was taken from Adli, so I chose 17, which is Rafa’s old number. I like it.”
Okafor discussed some of the stars of Milan’s past.
“Milan are a great club, with a great history. They’ve had many stars, great players but even now we are very strong, young, hungry.
“If I have to choose, I’ll say Ronaldinho, Kakà and Gullit. I’m still young but I want to help this team make history again.”
He spoke about his role on the pitch.
“I can play on the left, on the right and as a forward in the centre. I’m flexible. I have to adapt to a new country, with new tactics and new teams but I’ve already been there with RB Salzburg. I try to be open with my teammates and the staff, I’m really happy to be here.”
Finally, Okafor was asked if he’s spoken to Mike Maignan and Pierre Kalulu regarding a goal he scored against Milan last season.
“Mike told me it was luck because the ball passed between his legs, but dribbling past Kalulu is unquestionable, I looked for it. And then… a goal is always a goal.”